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[state] repression of dissent

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) is concerned about three criminal charges made against women's rights campaigner Ms. Ghada Yusuf Jamsheer, accusing her of foul language, abusing a shari'ah family court and a former shari'a judge.

A revolt in the eastern town of Andizhan in the mainly Muslim Ferghana Valley was crushed by Uzbek troops, who opened fire on thousands of protesters, many opposing President Islam Karimov's autocratic rule.

Shaken by revolutionary developments in Ukraine and Georgia, Uzbekistan is turning away from the West. Officials increasingly see the democratic ideals espoused by the USA and the European Union as "alien" and destructive for Uzbek society.